Danish Emergency Management Agency (DEMA)

DEMA is a Danish governmental agency. We work to prevent respond to, and prepare societies for major accidents and disasters – in Denmark and abroad.

DEMA’s mission is to mitigate the effects of accidents and disasters on society and to prevent harm to people, property and the environment. Consequently, DEMA has a series of operational, supervisory and regulatory functions concerning emergency management and preparedness.

By request from a governmental or international organisation, DEMA can assist abroad when disaster strikes. DEMA is involved in international cooperation with UN agencies, EU, NATO, the Nordic countries and the Baltic Sea States. This allows DEMA to second and deploy personnel and equipment to support UN, EU, NATO or governments on missions.

A fundamental philosophy of the international emergency management is the extensive dual-use of personnel and equipment. Personnel and equipment can be used both nationally and internationally in a very flexible manner based on operational needs.

A key principle is that DEMA only initiates international responses upon request – typically from the UN, EU or NATO and hence only provides what is asked for by the authorities of the affected state or international organisations in question.

DEMA’s contribution to the international response is often carried out within the cooperation of the International Humanitarian Partnership – IHP. DEMA’s international assistance needs to be approved by the relevant Danish authorities in each and every case.